ESPN’s fantasy basketball analysts released their personal wish lists for the 2025-26 draft pool on Sept. 17, spotlighting 25 players they intend to pursue most aggressively. The selections, delivered by five staff experts, provide an early snapshot of who could attract a premium on draft day.
Andre Snellings
Anthony Edwards, SG, Minnesota Timberwolves — Snellings expects an MVP-level leap after the guard adjusted to new teammates in the wake of last year’s Karl-Anthony Towns deal.
Paolo Banchero, PF, Orlando Magic — With Desmond Bane stretching defenses, Snellings predicts “monster” production from a fully healthy Banchero.
Josh Giddey, SG, Chicago Bulls — Now locked into a long extension and free from Lonzo Ball’s shadow, Giddey is viewed as a nightly triple-double threat.
Deandre Ayton, C, Los Angeles Lakers — The lone established center on the roster, Ayton is slotted to finish plays alongside Luka Dončić and LeBron James.
Michael Porter Jr., SF, Brooklyn Nets — A larger offensive role in Brooklyn could push Porter’s scoring average into the high-20s if he stays healthy.
Eric Moody
Brandon Miller, SF, Charlotte Hornets — Moody labels the second-year wing a breakout candidate thanks to two-way versatility and volume shooting.
Onyeka Okongwu, C, Atlanta Hawks — Clint Capela’s exit clears the way for starter minutes and expanded defensive stats.
Jaden Ivey, SG, Detroit Pistons — Limited to 30 games last season, Ivey is in line for a larger share of the offense after showing improvements across the board.
Kevin Porter Jr., SG, Milwaukee Bucks — Porter is positioned to replace Damian Lillard at point guard and chase career highs in scoring and rebounding.
T.J. McConnell, PG, Indiana Pacers — With Tyrese Haliburton sidelined by a torn Achilles, McConnell’s Finals averages of 12.0 points, 4.3 assists, 3.6 rebounds and 2.1 steals in 20-plus minutes point to an expanded workload.
Eric Karabell
LeBron James, SF, Los Angeles Lakers — Even at 40, James finished 11th on last year’s Player Rater and suited up for 70 games.
James Harden, PG, LA Clippers — Despite turning 36, Harden ranked third on the Player Rater with 22.8 points and 8.7 assists per game.
Jalen Johnson, PF, Atlanta Hawks — A torn labrum halted a season that opened at 18.9 points, 10.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists; Karabell sees value at a discount ADP.
Evan Mobley, PF, Cleveland Cavaliers — Reliable boards, blocks and efficiency keep Mobley on Karabell’s radar while his three-point range continues to develop.
Darius Garland, PG, Cleveland Cavaliers — Although recovering from toe surgery, Garland’s outside-top-50 ADP entices Karabell to wait for a 20-point, multi-category payoff.
Steve Alexander
Luka Dončić, PG, Los Angeles Lakers — Fresh off a strong EuroBasket, Dončić is Alexander’s No. 2 overall choice behind only Victor Wembanyama.
Cade Cunningham, PG, Detroit Pistons — A clean bill of health and back-to-back campaigns of 62 and 70 games push Cunningham into Alexander’s top five.
Amen Thompson, SF, Houston Rockets — Even with Kevin Durant now in Houston, Thompson’s across-the-board stat profile remains attractive.
Matas Buzelis, SF, Chicago Bulls — Alexander forecasts a 30-minute role after per-36 figures of 16.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.8 blocks as a rookie.
Payton Pritchard, PG, Boston Celtics — With Jayson Tatum out for the season and roster turnover elsewhere, Pritchard’s 2024-25 averages of 14.3 points and 3.2 triples could hold steady or rise.
Jim McCormick
Desmond Bane, SG, Orlando Magic — A top-30 Player Rater finish and expected uptick in playmaking keep Bane on McCormick’s middle-round radar.
Jalen Duren, C, Detroit Pistons — Only Nikola Jokić saw more rebounding chances last year, and McCormick notes Duren is “just scratching the surface.”
Immanuel Quickley, PG, Toronto Raptors — McCormick envisions a Malik Monk-style blend of threes, assists and scoring bursts as Quickley returns from an injury-marred season.
Alex Sarr, C, Washington Wizards — The rookie’s combination of threes and shot-blocking as a teenager makes him a unique upside pick despite sub-40% shooting.
Brandon Miller, SF, Charlotte Hornets — Citing a 27-game sample with 11.4 three-point attempts per 36 minutes, McCormick doubles up on Miller’s “league-winning upside.”
The overlapping endorsements—particularly for Brandon Miller, Luka Dončić and Anthony Edwards—signal that fantasy managers may need to reach a round or two earlier to secure those players in 2025-26 drafts.
Source: ESPN
